Kellogg’s sweetens obesity row
BRITAIN: Kellogg’s, the world’s leading cereal manufacturer, has spent millions on research in Britain to counter claims its sugarladen products are fuelling the obesity crisis.
The food giant has been attacked for putting more sugar in some of its breakfast cereals than is found in cakes, doughnuts and ice creams. A bowl of its Crunchy Nut cereal can contain more than half the recommended maximum intake of added sugar for a 6-yearold.
Now it has been established that Kellogg’s helped fund a report, published in a medical journal in December, attacking the UK government’s recommendations to cut sugar intake. It has also funded British studies suggesting that eating cereals may help children stay a healthy weight.
Simon Capewell, a founder of Action on Sugar and a professor in public health and policy at Liverpool University, called on Kellogg’s to publish a full list of the scientists and research organisations to whom it pays professional fees and research grants.
‘‘They are funding scientists and organisations to undermine the established evidence that eating too much sugar is harmful.’’
One of the food research organisations funded by Kellogg’s is the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI). Last year it funded research in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine that said the advice to cut sugar by Public Health England and other bodies such as the World Health Organisation could not be trusted. The study, which claimed official guidance to cut sugar was based on ‘‘low-quality evidence’’, stated it had been funded by an ILSI technical committee.
Only by searching elsewhere for a list of committee members did it become clear that this comprised 15 food firms, including Kellogg’s, Coca-cola and Tate & Lyle. – Sunday Times